Black Wall Street: Uncovered and Unvarnished

05/27/2021

I'm excited that the history of Black Wall Street, Greenwood, and the Tulsa Race Massacre will soon be fully removed from the racist rug it was swept under a century ago. I had no idea this happened before moving to Tulsa. Turns out, a lot of Tulsans had no idea either.

I'm thrilled that the entire US, and even a global audience, might carefully examine, thoughtfully self-educate and finally recognize The Tulsa Race Massacre as a brutal microcosm of America's hundreds year long institutional sin against people of color. Our digital world will immortalize this Centennial for all of us to study and discuss. Especially important for FUTURE generations to understand and honor.

It is actually INSANE to me that this occurred in the first place. If you don't know what "this" is still, watch the first 5 mins of HBO's Watchmen S1E1. Yes, those are planes bombing the black citizens of Tulsa. Yes, those are white US soldiers back from WWI using their military-training to fire indiscriminately at black women and children. Yes, it was a massacre. No, that isn't dramatic, grow a soul.

It is INSANE to me that white folks back then were able to claim their "stolen" weapons - guns other white people used to kill their black NEIGHBORS - for insurance and WERE PAID OUT. But the same black families DESTROYED by this heinous, anti-Christian villainy couldn't file claims for their lost homes and things.

It is INSANE to me that AFTER the massacre, the people of Greenwood persevered and rebuilt...and then Tulsans put a highway right through that renewed legacy, killing ITS OWN COMMUNITY once again.

It is decidedly not a surprise that the Oklahoma representatives just passed a bill to keep teachers from using this history to educate Oklahoman students.

It is depressing that people don't see these events as self-inflicted wounds that HOLD US ALL BACK TO THIS DAY.

Into the truth, together we go!